Perth, Australia Travel Guide
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Perth and its dreamy beaches are located in Western Australia, the largest of the 8 states of Australia. For first-time visitors to Australia, Perth can sometimes be overlooked thanks to its isolated location, but in my opinion “west is best”.
It’s now the city I call home, after a fleeting year back in the UK I packed my bags and moved down under. I fell in love with Perth when I was in Australia back in 2017 so when I heard they were changing the rules regarding farm work for the Australian working holiday visa, I jumped at the chance to go back.
I have been living in Perth for the last few months and can’t sing its praises enough. Whether it’s visiting new neighbourhoods and the endless cafes or watching a magical WA sunset, it’s easy to live the good life here.
Learn everything you need to know about visiting Perth, Australia in this travel guide.
Brief Overview of Perth Australia Travel Guide
When to Visit Perth Australia?
As Perth is in the southern hemisphere the seasons are flipped for us living in the northern hemisphere meaning:
Summer - December to February
Autumn - March to May
Winter - June to August
Spring - September to November
As with most answers to this question, the best time to visit is dependent on what your trip to Perth will consist of. If you want the hot weather for beach days November to March is the best time for you to visit, maybe avoiding peak summer, December and January, if you don’t want to melt. If you are looking for slightly cooler days and fewer crowds at the beach August-November or March-April might suit you.
If you would like to see whales whilst you are here the humpback whale migration happens between August and December, with a chance of spotting blue whales in April/May.
Winter in Perth sees temperatures ranging from 8°C to 19°C (which is summer for me in Whitley Bay, UK) and occasional downpours. The wettest months are between May and August but don’t expect rain every single day, it is Australia after all.
I am told by locals that summer in Perth is getting longer and hotter year by year. This comes with a higher risk of wildfires, mostly located in Perth Hills and the surrounding countryside. You can expect temperatures to hit 40 celsius in January and February, so be prepared.
How to Get to and Around Perth Australia
Given that Perth is one of the world’s most isolated cities I assume you will be flying into Perth Airport. If you have driven from another Australian state then take a well-deserved rest, you adventurous soul.
When you arrive at Perth Airport, you will be able to find plenty of Uber’s or standard taxis to take you to your accommodation. Or you can catch the train. If you arrive at Terminal 1 or 2 you can walk to Airport Central Station via the Skybridge walkway. For Terminal 3 or 4, you should catch the 292 bus to Redcliffe Station. You can plan your journey and see the timetables and service maps here.
Perth has a decent public transport network, which isn’t super extensive but if you don’t mind a few changes can get you around to the most popular spots. If you are going to rely upon public transport get yourself a SmartRider card, either from the airport or from one of these retailers. It is the simplest way of getting around, allowing you to tap on and off all Transperth trains, ferries and buses. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy paper tickets from train stations or have the exact change to purchase a ticket on a bus.
It’s a reloadable card so you can top up as much as you wish, but if you are sticking around in Perth for a while download the Transperth App to set up an autoload, it’s takes the thought out of it and you save 10% on fares. For details on fares read more here, but for SmartRider holders there is a daily cap of $10.40 no matter where and how much you travel in one day.
Top Tip- if you have a smart rider all transport is free on Sundays.
Although you can scrape by with public transport whilst in Perth, you would get more out of a visit to Perth with a car. It allows you to cast your travelling net wider than just the CBD and a few well-connected neighbourhoods. You’ll find many car rentals located near the airport and can compare your options here.
Where to Stay in Perth Australia
You have a few options of places to stay in Perth, you can stick to the CBD or venture to the beach suburbs. I’ll give you a brief overview of the areas I recommend staying in:
Fremantle
In my opinion, this is the best option for where to stay. You are on the coastline, ferries run from Rottnest from here and you can catch the train to the CBD/airport. This artsy neighbourhood just south of the river is brimming with things to do and although a car would allow more flexibility you can rely on a mix of public transport and Uber to get around. You can find a mix of hostels, apartments and hotels here.
17 Fun Things To Do In Fremantle
How To Spend One Day in Fremantle
Scarborough
Scarborough and the surrounding area have some of Perth’s most stunning beaches. If you don’t mind ditching the city for the beach, I highly recommend staying in this area. It’s a little bit more tricky to rely on public transport here, so I would consider hiring a car for this location. You will find a selection of holiday rentals and serviced apartments here to give you more freedom for longer stays.
City Centre
Staying in the City Centre has its perks, especially if you are only visiting for a short period, but it wouldn't be my first choice. You will however find the more upmarket, chain hotels located here, as well as a handful of hostels and cheaper hotels. A little bonus of staying in the CBD is that it’s a lot easier to catch a beautiful Kings Park sunrise.
Things to Do in Perth Australia
Visit Kings Park and the Botanical Gardens
Experience a sunset at Cottesloe Beach
Shop at Fremantle Markets (Friday-Sunday)
Catch an AFL match at Optus Stadium
Cycle along the Swan River
Head out to Caversham Wildlife Park
Join a brewery tour at Little Creatures
Stroll around Elizabeth Quay
Have a beach day at Trigg or Leighton Beach
Stop by the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Take a tour around Fremantle Prison
Snorkel your way through the Coogee Maritime Trail
Day Trips from Perth Australia
Swan Valley
Located 30 minutes outside the city centre you can stop by distilleries, taste some local wines and relax in the gorgeous Swan Valley vineyards. And it’s not just wine you will find here, there are chocolatiers, honey producers and ice cream/nougat makers.
Want to be able to taste some local wine leave the car behind discover some fantastic tour options to Swan Valley here ->
Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are in Nambung National Park, just a two-hour drive from Perth city centre. These fascinating limestone structures, which vary in shape and size, were formed thousands of years ago. Although this desert-like attraction can be visited during the day, it’s a spectacular place to visit after dark for stargazing.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island/Wadjemup is surrounded by stunning blue waters and is littered with gorgeous coves and beaches to explore, making it the perfect day trip from Perth.
Take the ferry from the city of Perth and be transported to paradise in around 90 minutes or just 30 minutes if you go from Fremantle. Most people opt to rent a bike for the day to explore Rottnest and this is what I would recommend. However, you can walk or catch the bus if you wish. Don’t forget the all-important snap with the VIP of this place the Quokkas, your cute new furry friend.
Rottnest Island Itinerary: A guide to Perth's best day trip ->
That wraps up everything you need to know about Perth, Australia before visiting. I’ll keep updating this guide with new ideas and travel tips as I plan to live here for the next couple of years.
If you have visited Perth, Australia before let us know your best travel recommendations in the comments below.
